Hook (A Hitman's Bait 2)

“Since when did you start talking again?”

“Since today.” I placed my phone on the island and pinched the bridge of my nose. “They don’t listen. None of them do.”

“They miss you.”

“And I miss them too, but this is about their safety.”

“It’s been years. I’m sure they’ll be fine.” He opened the fridge and took out two cans of beer. He passed one to me and took the stool across from me. “Where’s your other half?”

“Kit?”

He quirked an eyebrow and grinned. “I wish he was here to hear your dumbass remark. Do you have another half?”

“Don’t start with me. I’m still reeling from the shock of talking to my sister for the first time in almost ten years.”

“I bet it felt good, though, talking to her after all this time.”

“It did.” I popped the lid from my can. “Do you think I was too extreme to split everyone up?”

“I think you did exactly what you had to at the time to keep everyone safe. Plus, you can’t change the past. If you feel differently today, then you can do something about it.”

I took a swig of my beer. “I should go and see them?”

He shrugged. “Why not? I mean, Yulia’s the youngest, and she’s what now? Sixteen? Seventeen? Everyone is old enough to understand what’s going on and how to be cautious.”

“Maybe.” But there was a big difference between being older and responsible and going toe-to-toe with men like Pinelli, who could crush people like a bug and have no remorse about it.

“You still haven’t answered me. Where’s Kit? You said we were going over the next two gigs this afternoon, right?”

“Yes, but he’s not back from the mall yet.”

“The mall? Jesus, Sully, you spoil that boy.”

“What am I going to do with all this money? He likes pretty things, and I happen to enjoy seeing him in them.”

He picked up the top box and placed it before him. “I bought you all pizza, but since he’s not here, I’m not going to wait. I’m starving.”

I snagged a slice from his box as well, ignoring his glare. “You verified the job is from a reputable client?”

Liam scowled. “After what happened last time, of course I did. We no longer take contracts unless we’ve already worked with that person, and all newcomers must have a referral.”

“Good.”

“You know this won’t necessarily change things, right? Anyone you’ve already worked with can count you as a liability and want to get rid of you.”

“True, but at least if something like that happens again, we’ll know that it’s coming from within our pool of regular clients. Easier to find who’s responsible.”

Cinnamon waltzed into the kitchen, meowing loudly, and settled down under my chair. I used my toe to stroke her soft hair, and she purred.

“You and that damn cat,” Liam grumbled. “Don’t you ever wish for things to be back the way they were? When you had fewer distractions and less worry?”

The front door opened. Kit was home. My stomach clenched, then released. Warmth spread throughout my body. I grinned at Liam. “Nope. Wouldn’t change things for the world.”

“Sully, I’ve got a surprise for you!”

“We’re in the kitchen.”

“We?” He walked into the kitchen, glancing from me to Liam. “Oh shit. I forgot the meeting.”